Life In LC

Reed delivers solid start in regional game against Jackrabbits

It’s been quite a tumultuous year for sophomore starting pitcher Jake Reed. After entering 2013 as the number one pitcher on the roster, Reed hit a bit of a rough patch and was demoted down to the number three position in the rotation.

Even with his recent struggles, George Horton decided to give the La Mesa, California, native the game one start in the regional round of the NCAA baseball championships against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Reed delivered.

While Friday’s outing wasn’t the best of his career, Reed accomplished exactly what Horton and the Ducks needed him to do. He pitched seven strong innings, keeping Oregon within striking distance of the Jackrabbits and made it a short evening for Oregon’s beat up bullpen.

“I knew I had to get us off on the right track and keep us in the game,” said Reed. “I thought i did a pretty good job of that.”

Outside of a few brief instances where his command was a bit shaky, Reed showed good control of his pitches, not allowing a walk in his seven innings of work.

“I made a few bad pitches early in the game,” said Reed, referencing his shakiness early. “I left a few pitches over the plate and they did a good job early on capitalizing on it. Like i said, i just settled in and started pitching low in the zone.”

There was a noticeable change in Reed’s demeanor as the game went on, and his last inning of work was probably his best as he sent the Jackrabbits down in order. Following his departure, Garrett Cleavinger pitched a scoreless eighth, who then proceeded to hand the ball to All-American closer Jimmie Sherfy who closed the door on South Dakota State.”

The Ducks now face off against the Rice Owls tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. at PK Park with Tommy Thorpe on the mound for Oregon.

Thorpe is currently boasting a 2.22 ERA and has exhibited excellent stuff throughout the season. All eyes will be on him tomorrow night as the Ducks take the field, but tonight, as it should, belongs to Reed.